Otto spaetite



(No Model.)

0. SPAETHE. VALVE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

No. 534,766. Patented Feb. 26, 1895.

WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTO SPAETITE, OF GERA, GERMANY.

VALVE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 534,766, dat d F bruary 26, 1895,

Application filed December 4,1894. Serial No. 530,787. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTTO SPAETHE, a citizen of the German Empire, residing in Gera, in the Duchy of Reuss and Empire of Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves for Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved valve for musical instruments, which is so constructed that it produces the tight closing of the case to which the valve is applied, so that the same is capable of resisting in a higher degree the atmospheric influences, than the Valves heretofore employed in accordions, and similar wind musical instruments.

The invention consists of a valve for musical instruments, composed of two parts, which are connected at their inner abutting ends by a metallic spring set in the recess of said parts and covered by leather, or other covering, the outer slotted end being guided by pins and retained by suitable cleats on the sounding-board of the instrument, as will be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 represent vertical longitudinal sections of my improved valve showing the same arranged on the sounding-board of the instrument, and respectively in closed and open position. Fig. 3 is an under side plan-view of Fig. 1, and Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively detail side and top views of the valve, shown as detached from the sounding board.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the drawings, a, a represent the two parts or halves of the valve a. The halves are beveled at their inner abutting ends and slightly tapered at their outer ends, said outer ends being provided with longitudinal slots 71, h. The inner abutting ends are provided at their upper sides with longitudinal recesses, in which is inserted flush with such sides a flat metallic 1) spring attached to the parts a, a by means of screws or pins 0 a, so that the reliable connection of the spring with the parts a a is obtained. For the purpose of securing the air-tight connection of the parts of the valve a the springla is covered by a flexible strip (1 of leather, muslin, or other suitable material. The slotted ends of the parts a a are guided by pins 2' t which are inserted into the sounding-board s, and are retained on the same by means of recessed cleats Z Z extending along said ends, said cleats being secured to the sounding-board, whereby the ends of the valve-sections a a are capable of sliding motion, while they are still retained by the cleats.

The improved valves are first placed in position on the surface of the sounding-board, whether the same be concave or convex, and when the slotted ends of all the valves are placed in position on the retaining-pins, the cleats are placed over the same and fastened in position by means of suitable screws.

When it is desired to permit the air to enter into or pass from the instrument to the outside, the valve is operated by means of a lever-rod 0, which acts on the leather or other covering-strip at the center of the valve, and the valve is lowered, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the air can pass readily inside or outside of the instrument, as desired. The slotted ends of the hinged and spring-connected parts of the valve slide on the pins, but do not leave the cleats, and are returned by the spring as soon as the pressure on the center part of the valve is released.

This valve has the advantage that it is not susceptible to climatic influences, and that it performs its functions in a reliable manner, owing to the spring connections of its parts and the air-tight covering of the springs by the leather or other covering-strip.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A valve for 1nusical-iustruments, composed of two parts united at their inner abutting ends by a flat spring, substantially as set forth.

2. A valve for musical-instruments, composed of two parts united at their inner abutting ends by a metallic spring, set flush to the inner ends, said spring being covered by a strip of leather or other air-tight covering, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the soundingv board of a musical-instrument, provided with recessed retaining cleats, of valves each formed of two parts, connected at their inner ends by a spring, and means for guiding the outer ends of the valves into recesses of said cleats, substantially as set forth.

4:. The combination, with the sounding- 5 board of a musical-instrument provided with projecting guide-pins, and cleats secured to said board and provided with recesses, of

valves each formed of two parts and provided with slots at their outer ends which receive IO said pins, and springs connecting the inner ends of the parts of the valves, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing, as my invention Ihave signed my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

OTTO SPAETIIE.

Witnesses:

R. J. FULTON, CARL SPOER. 

